THE Old Firm held secret meetings with former Football League chief Keith Harris over a move to England.

Harris, a former investment banker, has revealed that he attempted to broker a deal 12 years ago which would have seen Rangers and Celtic make the switch across the border.

But a combination of Scottish bias and self interest put paid to any plans.

However, Harris, who now works for stockbrokers Seymour, insists both clubs were desperate to take the plunge.

Last night he said: “When I was at the Football League I tried to negotiate the Old Firm’s entry into the old First Division.

“It was the two big clubs and that’s what the rest of Scotland wanted.

“We negotiated it and had an incredible meeting at David Murray’s house with both the Celtic and Rangers boards.

“I was in the middle and felt more like Henry Kissinger than the Football League chairman.

“I think terms would have been made out and when it came back to the Football League there were a number of clubs who really wanted it as it would have brought bigger crowds and a huge media package from Sky.

“But there were other clubs who felt it would be like turkeys voting for Christmas.

“I didn’t believe that would be the case but it was leaked to the press by someone who wanted to derail it.”

Harris remains one of the influential figures in the British games and is a key player in Red Knights’ attempt to seize control of Manchester United.

The power broker laid out the proposals for the groundbreaking Old Firm switch but admits he was hitting his head against a brick wall.

He said: “The Old Firm’s attitude to it was fantastic and said they would work their way up as bear in mind they were giving up European football which was a certainty for them. Although that’s not the case for Rangers now.

“They were going to work their way up and there was an agreement in principle that if they both won promotion then only one of them would accept it.

“They also agreed not to accept it in their first season and they would work their duty in the Championship as it is now.

“But the Premier League didn’t much care for it.

“There were comments about Hadrian having built a wall to keep them out. You won’t be surprised to hear there is some bigotry out there.

“But this was before the Premier League had the income that they enjoy today.”